Rise Together: Rogue Valley Women in Business

Entrepreneur and marketing strategist Brigitte Boots has stepped into a new role as the owner of Rogue Valley Women in Business bringing with her a clear vision for what a modern women’s network can be. After more than a decade helping businesses grow and connecting people across industries, Brigitte saw an opportunity to strengthen and expand a community where women support one another, share resources, and build meaningful professional relationships. Under her leadership, Rogue Valley Women in Business is entering a new chapter focused on creating rooms where women can grow their businesses, advance their careers, and contribute to the vitality of Southern Oregon.

Brigitte, congratulations on your purchase of Rogue Valley Women in Business!

Thank you! I’m excited to step into this role. I’ve been looking for something locally that could help me expand my own business, and honestly, I was coming up a little short.

When the opportunity to take over came up, I figured why not me? I love connecting people, sharing information, and bringing the right people together in the same room. It felt like a natural fit.

There’s already a great foundation here, and my goal is to build on that, so it becomes an even stronger resource for women who are building businesses and advancing their careers.

To begin with please give us a little history of the organization.

Rogue Valley Women in Business started as a way to bring local women together for connection and support shortly after the pandemic. A lot of people were feeling isolated at that time, especially entrepreneurs and professionals who were navigating big changes in their businesses and careers. 

It created a space where women could walk into a room and immediately meet others who understood what it’s like to run a business, manage clients, lead teams, or simply juggle a lot of responsibility. Sometimes you just need a room where people get it!

Over time it grew into a community where women not only connect but actively support each other by referring business and helping each other move forward. At its core, the mission has always been about connection, and that’s something I’m really excited to continue building on.

Brigitte, you’ve been a longtime entrepreneur, marketer, and connector in the Rogue Valley. What inspired you to take ownership and lead this organization into its next chapter?

Honestly, a big part of my own success (both in the corporate world and now as an entrepreneur) has come from being in the right rooms with the right people. Over the past 15 years working in marketing, I’ve learned that strategy absolutely matters, but relationships are often what open the door in the first place. When you surround yourself with smart and motivated people, opportunities tend to follow.

What’s funny is that even though I’ve spent my career in marketing, I rarely spend much time marketing my own business. Most of my work comes through referrals and relationships. Someone mentions my name in a room, makes an introduction, or connects me with someone who needs help. That network effect has been the biggest driver of my own growth.

Connecting people is something I naturally love doing. If someone needs help, my first thought is usually, “You should meet this person.” It’s a win for everyone! You’re solving a problem while supporting another local business. And I’m always sharing resources too, from books to podcasts to restaurants. It never stops!

You’ve spoken about wanting to create a community of women who are “done playing small.” What does that mean to you, and why is it so important?

For me, being done playing small means letting go of the idea that we need to blend in or do things the way everyone else is doing them just to be accepted.

A lot of women are incredibly capable, but we’ve been taught to soften our ambition or make ourselves more comfortable for other people. But people don’t support you just because of what you’re selling. They support you because of who you are, how you show up, and the relationships you build.

How boring would it be if everyone was the same?

The goal is to create an environment where women take their work seriously and support each other in doing the same (without any side-eye). I firmly believe that when you’re surrounded by women who are thinking bigger, investing in themselves, and committed to growth, the whole conversation changes. The standards go up, accountability goes up, and suddenly those “unattainable dreams” feel a lot more possible.

Many professional women have attended networking events that felt underwhelming or not worth the time. How do you plan to create something different here?

A lot of networking events focus on inspiration, which is great, but inspiration alone doesn’t necessarily move your business or career forward.

What I want to focus on are the foundational skills and decisions that truly shape someone’s success. The kinds of insights that come from real experience that help you think differently, ask better questions, and make smarter choices as you grow.

You can look up a lot of information online now. But there’s a big difference between information and insight. The value comes from hearing directly from people who have built businesses, led teams, solved difficult problems, and learned lessons along the way.

I also want to bring women from different stages of business and career into the same room. Someone just starting out might be sitting next to a seasoned entrepreneur or a CEO. Those perspectives create conversations you can’t replicate online.

I love the promise and vision you are offering. I think it is very much needed right now.

I couldn't agree more, and I'm glad you said that.

A lot of people are craving real human connection right now. Entrepreneurship and leadership can be incredibly isolating, and sometimes what you really need is a conversation with someone who understands what you’re going through.

Over the past decade we have watched almost everything move online. You can learn anything from behind a screen now or build an entire business without ever leaving your house.

And while that accessibility has been incredible, there’s something important missing.

Everyone is talking about AI right now. Some people are excited, some are nervous, some think it is going to replace everything. Personally, I don’t see it that way. I think tools like AI will absolutely support how we work, but they cannot replace the one thing that moves communities forward, which is real human connection.

A conversation with someone over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine just hits differently.

If anything, I think this moment is going to push us back toward each other.

That is really what I want to build here. A place where women can step away from their screens, walk into a room, and have real conversations with other ambitious women who understand what they are building.

One of the themes you emphasize is collaboration over competition. How can women in business learn to support and celebrate one another more openly?

When you look at success through the lens that there is enough to go around, supporting other women becomes natural. Celebrating someone else's win does not take anything away from you. If anything, it raises the standard for what is possible.

The strongest business communities I have seen are the ones where people openly celebrate each other’s progress. They share referrals, make introductions, collaborate, and show up for each other.

That culture benefits everyone. Your network gets stronger, opportunities expand, and more people rise together.

Rather than just talking about business ideas, you want to focus on implementation and real results. How will your events and programs help women actually apply what they learn?

The goal is practicality.

Each monthly mixer includes a 30-minute presentation focused on something women can apply the very next day. It’s designed to be bite-sized and easy to digest, so people walk away with a clear takeaway instead of feeling overwhelmed.

We focus on the foundational skills that help people run stronger businesses and build sustainable careers and lives. The idea is that every event offers at least one practical insight someone can immediately put into action.

When you combine that with meaningful conversations and new connections in the room, it creates momentum that carries beyond the event itself.

You’re also planning quarterly intensive workshops focused on deeper professional development. What kinds of topics and opportunities do you envision exploring?

This is something I’m really excited about because there are so many topics I’d love to go deeper on.

The monthly mixers are designed to be short, practical, and immediately useful, but the workshops will give us space to really dig into things that can make a big difference in someone’s business or career.

That could include everything from nervous system regulation and mindset to creating social media content, understanding your financial statements so you can make better decisions, or learning how to sell your services in a way that feels natural instead of pushy.

The goal is always the same though. Keep it practical, keep it digestible, and focus on things women can implement quickly so they start seeing real results.

Beyond regular gatherings, you’ve mentioned retreats and expanded experiences for members. How can these more immersive settings help women grow both personally and professionally?

This is more of a future goal, but it’s something I’m dreaming about.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for your business is step away from the day-to-day and give yourself space to think bigger. When you’re constantly working in your business, it’s hard to slow down and focus on working on it.

Retreats create that space where you get out of your normal routine and have the time to reflect, plan, and exchange ideas.

Those kinds of environments naturally lead to stronger relationships, new collaborations, and sometimes completely new directions for your business.

And if that just happens to take place in a beautiful location… well, that’s just a bonus.

You’ve said that women need to invest in themselves in order to grow. Why is that commitment so important when building a strong business and community?

I think when people hear the word investment, they often assume it’s just about money. But it’s really bigger than that. It’s also your time, energy, and the intention you bring to your growth.

At some point you realize that building a business or stepping into leadership asks you to become a different version of yourself. There’s often a gap between who you are right now and the kind of woman your goals require you to be.

And that gap is where a lot of the struggle shows up. It looks like procrastination, overthinking, self-doubt, or that stop-start momentum where you’re excited one week and stuck the next.

What helps close that gap is putting yourself in environments where growth is normal.

When you’re surrounded by other women who are also investing in themselves, it changes your expectations. You start thinking bigger, making decisions faster, and trusting yourself more.

Brigitte, looking ahead, what is your biggest dream for Rogue Valley Women in Business and the impact it can have across the region?

Honestly, my dreams for this community are pretty big. I keep coming back to the question, “What’s the best that could happen?”

In the near term, it’s about building momentum. More events, stronger speakers, and more resources that genuinely help women grow their businesses and careers. I want this to be something women across Southern Oregon see as a real asset in their lives, not just another networking event on their calendar.

But the bigger vision goes beyond events. I want to inspire stronger women and shift the culture around women in business.

When you bring ambitious women into the same room and they start sharing ideas, making introductions, celebrating each other’s wins, and pushing each other to think bigger, things start to move FAST.

If we keep showing up, building connections, and asking what’s possible, I’d love to see Rogue Valley Women in Business become a hub for opportunity and leadership across the region. A place where women come to build relationships, grow serious businesses, and support each other along the way.

Finally, for women reading this who may be curious about getting involved, what would you say to them and how can they become part of this growing community?

If you’re building a business, growing your career, or simply looking for stronger professional connections, I’d encourage you to come check out the community for yourself.

The easiest way to start is by attending one of our monthly mixers. It’s a great way to meet other women, start conversations, and get a feel for the room.

We also have a free Rogue Valley Women in Business Facebook group with more than 1,000 members where women share resources, ask questions, and support each other throughout the month.

To learn more or register for an upcoming event, visit RogueValleyWomen.com/Events